U.S. and Mexican authorities are widening their financial pressure on alleged Sinaloa Cartel networks, this time focusing on money laundering, fentanyl proceeds, and cryptocurrency. The sanctions name people and companies accused of helping move drug money between the United States and Mexico, while Mexico’s financial intelligence unit reviewed related records. The case shows how cartel finance investigations now extend beyond cash couriers and front businesses to include digital assets, with new risks for anyone tied to blocked parties.
U.S. and Mexican authorities target Sinaloa Cartel crypto-laundering networks
U.S. financial sanctions have targeted two alleged Sinaloa Cartel networks accused of moving drug proceeds through cash, companies, and cryptocurrency.
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned 12 individuals and two companies tied to alleged drug trafficking and money laundering operations. Mexican authorities, through the Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera, also reviewed fiscal, financial, and corporate information related to the named individuals and businesses.
The sanctions were announced on May 20. They focus on two alleged networks linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, also referred to in Mexican government statements as the Cártel del Pacífico.
Sanctions target two alleged networks
One network was allegedly led by Armando de Jesús Ojeda Avilés, whom U.S. authorities identified as a money launderer for the Los Chapitos faction. Authorities said that the network collected bulk cash in the United States from fentanyl and other drug sales.
That money was allegedly converted into cryptocurrency for transfer to cartel figures in Mexico. U.S. authorities also named Jesús Alonso Aispuro Félix as a money broker accused of handling digital currency transfers.
Rodrigo Alarcón Palomares was also sanctioned. Authorities said he helped arrange cash pickups in the United States and had previously been indicted in Colorado on money laundering charges involving cryptocurrency.
The same network included Alfredo Orozco Romero, who was described as a security adviser and debt collector connected to cocaine shipments. Two women, Amalia Margarita Romero Moreno and Liliana Orozco Romero, were also named as alleged front persons.
The two companies sanctioned were Grupo Especial Mamba Negra, a private security business, and Gorditas Chiwas, a restaurant in Chihuahua. Authorities said both were tied to Orozco Romero.
Crypto added to older laundering methods
The cryptocurrency element does not replace older methods of moving cartel money. It appears alongside bulk cash movement, businesses, brokers, and alleged front persons.
Mexican financial authorities said one of the networks was tied to laundering proceeds from fentanyl sales through cryptocurrency. They also identified business structures allegedly used to hide and move illicit funds through virtual assets and commercial activity.
The second alleged network was tied to Jesús González Peñuelas, also known as “El Chuy González.” U.S. authorities said that the group was involved in international drug trafficking, money laundering, and moving cash from the United States into Mexico.
People named in that second group included Cástulo Bojórquez Chaparro, Fredi Ismael García Sandoval, Luis Arnulfo Moreno Zamora, Baltazar Sáenz Aguilar, and Noé de Jesús Castro Rocha.
What the sanctions do
The sanctions block any U.S.-based property or interests in property belonging to the designated people and companies. U.S. persons are generally barred from doing business with them.
The restrictions can also affect companies that are 50 percent or more owned by blocked people. Financial institutions can face sanctions risk when handling certain transactions for designated parties.
Mexico’s UIF said it carried out its own financial and corporate analysis of the designated subjects. The agency said the review aimed to identify additional potential networks and take legal measures where appropriate.
